I got my first medic bracelet as an adult, at the time my thoughts were that I would get it so my niece would see me wear it and would be fine to have one herself. I must say I did not expect to feel that it some how proves my allergy point to others by wearing it. Why else would I wear it I do not feel they are the most attractive! I have had two the first a silver one looked tarnished very quickly so I got the rubber one (I like that one better). I also feel safer to have it on now, I would feel lost without it. I never take it off. I did wonder lately if I used the front plate and put it on my own link bracelet (my friend makes jewelery) if that is an ok thing? Has any one changed their or their childrens medic bracelet. Just would not want an emergency person to see the back side of a bracelet and not turn it over. That would not be good.

_________________Me-Allergic to Peanut, Tree Nut, Coconut, Shellfish, ASA and Asthma
My Husband and Children No Allergies

Good question! I just fired off an e-mail to the Professional Paramedic Association of Ottawa asking this question as well whether they call the number of simply read the information on the back of the emblem.

The paramedics routinely look for all sorts of medic alert paraphernalia
from bracelets to jewellery to shoe tags. Some patients even have medic
alert tattoos. Any medic alert item would be readily recognized and
explored for further info.

We always recommend having key information engraved on the tag (i.e.
potentially life threatening anaphylactic allergies or life threatening
medical complications).

We have had several Ottawa Paramedics test the call-in line at medic alert
and it is has excellent information but is very slow. So, depending on the
emergency, they may or may not have the time to call. Regardless, the
treatment paramedics can provide nowadays is very sophisticated so the
patient is always in the best hands.

Thanks Susan for looking into this. I would only feel comfortable if I used my proper Medic Alert tag. When I have time I will look into using my second tag with some jewelery beads and see what it looks like. I have to send it back in as it is not looking so good kinda like old junk jewelery. May take a while with summer on and kids off who has time, so much on my summer list.
My nephew has a medic tattoo on his wrist Diabetic. A woman at our local starbucks has a tattoo on her wrist, this is not something I would do but I am not interested in any tattoo of any kind.

_________________Me-Allergic to Peanut, Tree Nut, Coconut, Shellfish, ASA and Asthma
My Husband and Children No Allergies

But I pointed out that since she has bangs, that's not really going to help either

lol.
Related, but off-topic diversion. A few years back, a friend dropped by to visit my good friends' home. The friend was introduced to their daughter (my goddaughter), who was then 4.
He said: "I know your name is Madeleine; I have special powers and can see your name written on your forehead."

She accepted this. Then he said: "Can you look at my forehead and tell me my name?"
Madeleine was suddenly annoyed: "I can't read yet!" she declared, and stomped off.

Which works fine...as long as there is not an accident that results in the shoe falling off. Often in car or bike accidents the shoe gets separated from the person. In an accident the adult may not be conscious to give verbal instructions to the paramedics.

_________________self: allergy to sesame seeds and peanuts
3 sons each with at least one of the following allergies: peniciilin, sulfa-based antibiotic, latex, insect bites/stings

I would also worry as kids change shoes all the time even at home, boots, sandals, shoes. Even at school they switch for indoor shoes /outdoor shoes /gym etc..
An I agree with AnnaMarie, in an accident the shoes usually are the first thing to fly off. And that would mean the kind of accident when unfortunately a person is most likely left unable to communicate.
Kids also wear so many trinkets on their shoes that I don't think anyone would notice one more.

I read the response from the paramedics saying that they have tested the number and it's informative but slow.

I don't think that it's even being used for day to day.

We have a real medic-alert bracelet and paid for the subscription for 1 year. I got the renewal in the mail recently and I have decided not to renew. I don't see the use in it at this point. My son has all his allergies printed on this bracelet along with the fact he has asthma.

What is your opinion on the yearly subscription cost? Have you done it?

I did not renew. However, I did give his principal the information to sign up the school in the No Child Without program. If you are in Canada, you can check the website to see if your child's school is already registered. If yes, you can pick up the pamphlet at the office when school opens. If they are not registered get the info to the principal. It's free to the school as well as to the parent.

_________________self: allergy to sesame seeds and peanuts
3 sons each with at least one of the following allergies: peniciilin, sulfa-based antibiotic, latex, insect bites/stings

Both allergists that we have seen told us we had to get bracelets. One of them, the one we are seeing now, actually suggested that once we have the bracelet, there's no need to renew the medicalert membership. We actually had some issues with my kids reacting to the metal of the stainless steel and the sterling silver bracelets, and the fabric ones not fitting, so ended up using bracelets from another company. I have no problems with the fact that there is no 24 hour call centre associated with these bracelets.

When the kids get older and are perhaps off on their own (as teens or preteens) I would be more inclined to go back to medicalert so I would be notified in case of an emergency, but since now they are only ever with us, or at school/preschool, I don't see the need.

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